I absolutely loved this madcap mystery with a rugged and broody PI and an unwilling psychic who lives in a house full of octogenarians! Lucy Score writes such witty and amusing conversations in her books, and this one is full of amazingly endearing characters that all have a bit of a screw lose. If you're looking for a fun mystery with a twist of the weird and wonderful that is reminiscent of a Janet Evanovic novel, then this is the read for you!

Thank you to Bloom Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I'm a fan of Lucy Score, and I shamefully admit I haven't read this series before now! This was a wonderful surprise full of fun and adventure. We are treated to a delightful concoction of humor, mystery, and romance, all wrapped up in a ton of fun. From the very first page, Score introduces us to a cast of characters that are not only unique but instantly want to learn more about and be along for the ride.

The story revolves around the charmingly chaotic life of Riley Thorn, who finds herself entangled in a mystery involving, you guessed it, the dead guy next door. What follows is a rollercoaster of events as she navigates through wacky neighbors, an interesting bad-boy PI, and unexpected twists that keep the pages turning.

What sets "The Dead Guy Next Door" apart is Score's ability to infuse humor into every situation, making even the most mundane moments feel like comedic gold. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

Thank you to Lucy Score, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

“Baby, the way you kiss, there’s a bad girl inside you dying to get out and have some fun.”

This book was hilarious. I have never laughed so hard while reading a book.

I will admit, the first half was a little slow for me. But the second half really picked up.

Lucy's writing makes you feel like you are watching this all play out in front of you. Like you are a part of the book. I can't wait to see what's next.

This Lucy Score book was ok. There are a lot of psychic themes and not much of a thriller, so if you’re looking for a major thriller maybe skip this one. The chase scene towards the end was a little unbelievable too….but would I read a Lucy Score book again? Sure. Good fluff read

This book was so much fun. Murders, psychics, shenanigans and so much more. Riley Thorn is a heroine readers will root for! In her quest for a “normal” life, Riley is surrounded by quirky. From her geriatric roommates to her eccentric family Riley’s life is full of the unexpected. When she teams up with mysterious PI Nick Santiago, the misadventures ensue. The story has all the elements I expect from Lucy Score, including snarky banter, endearing characters and lots of chemistry!
I can’t wait to read book two!

Well, it seems The Dead Guy Next Door, by Lucy Score, is the first of a series. I loved Riley Thorn and all the other fun characters and after finishing this action packed novel, I am ready to read the ones that follow. I am a Lucy Score fan and this one did not disappoint!
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I
read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

I love the Riley Thorn series! Riley is so relatable and hilarious and coupled with hot private investigator Nick and the outrageous cast of secondary characters what more could you want! Once you read this first one you won’t want to stop!

"The Dead Guy Next Door" by Lucy Score is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and humor that delivers a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience from start to finish. Score expertly crafts a narrative that effortlessly combines elements of suspense and romance, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while also tugging at their heartstrings. One of the novel's standout features is its cast of vibrant and memorable characters, each with their own quirks and complexities. Riley herself is a compelling protagonist, with her sharp wit, unapologetic attitude, and vulnerability making her instantly relatable to readers. Score's writing is sharp, witty, and infused with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that will leave readers grinning from ear to ear. At its heart, "The Dead Guy Next Door" is a story about love, redemption, and the power of second chances. As Riley navigates the twists and turns of the mystery surrounding the dead body next door, she also discovers truths about herself and learns to open her heart to the possibility of new beginnings. "The Dead Guy Next Door" is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and romantic comedies alike. With its engaging characters, clever plot twists, and steamy romance, it is a book that is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Reluctant psychic Riley Thorn had hoped to be the “normal” one in her family. She resisted the voices in her head, but when the barista’s dead grandmother insisted that she pass on a message, she does so. When she dreams that her neighbor, Dickie Frick, will be murdered she tries to warn him and the police, but passing on the message didn’t help. He is dead and she is a possible suspect. When private investigator Nick Santiago shows up at her apartment, she tries to ignore her attraction to him. Nick has no intention of getting involved in Riley’s life, but he was hired to serve papers to Dickie and now to investigate his murder. He needs Riley’s help as he tries to ignore the feelings he has for her. He knows that Dickie was involved in some illegal business, but who was his silent partner? A “laugh out loud” story and cast of elderly characters who make up Riley’s extended family. And then Gabe arrives…sent by her grandmother, to train her to accept her “gifts”. Will they solve Dickie’s murder or suffer the same fate? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

When I read the synopsis of this book I was really excited to give it a read, but once I started it was such a struggle to make it through.

First off, this book was entirely too long for no reason. I don’t feel like I should have to get 300 pages in before the story even really gets started.

I didn’t really feel a connection to any of the characters, which is probably one of the reasons I struggled so hard to make it through.

There were bits of the story that pulled me in and would connect me back to the story, but it just wasn’t enough for me to love it.

4.5/5

Riley is an unwilling psychic - she is doing everything she can to not embrace her gifts. Until she sees her grumpy, elderly housemate get murdered. She tries to warn him and the police, but her vision still comes true. Now she’s in a world of chaos between her other elderly housemates, her innocent but adoring spirit teacher, and the PI who becomes her fake fiancé.

I thought it was a cute concept before I started it, but the first few pages didn’t 100% capture my attention. After a few chapters though, I was hooked. Maybe I wasn’t focused enough at first because I could not stop reading this book once I got into it. I really love that we got Nick’s POV (PI/fake fiancé) because dual POVs are my favorite. It’s in third person but it’s pretty obvious which is which.

If you like Lucy Score books, give this one a chance. It’s less spicy than the Knockemout series, but it’s so funny. Adding the next in the series to my TBR.

DNF 54% gave up

I really gave this a go, but just couldn’t get through this book. I found it to be boring and the storyline was ridiculous. I was hoping it would get better, but it never improved.

Riley Thorn just might be one of my new favorite characters ever! This whole story had me cackling from the banter, crazy old people and just all around entertainment in some form. If you enjoy a good rom com, absolutely please go read this. You won’t regret it. Did I mention a fake relationship? The chemistry had me rooting for them from the start. I’ll definitely be digging into the rest of this series.

Super cute! Hooked me from the first chapter. Love Riley and all the other fun characters. Easy fast read. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

Loved this rom com from Lucy Score. It was laugh out loud funny!! Riley is hilarious and her family is so unique.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!!

Overall I am a fan of Lucy Score, her Knockemout trilogy being a favorite of mine. However this book was so confusing and the humor was so cringeworthy that I was unable to finish it. I will continue to support Score's works and am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC.

This re-release was originally published in 2020.

I discovered this gem of a book on NetGalley a couple weeks ago in the Read Now section. It was tagged as perfect for fans of the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich, a series that got me back in to reading years ago. So I said, “yes!” to this book and have no regrets.

This was a fun read as we met Riley, who is not really living her best life after being dumped by her ex, working at a job that she hates and is not fully embracing her psychic gifts. And her next door neighbor is murdered. Enter Nick Santiago, the PI hired to look into the murder, and sparks start flying.

The supporting characters were also great. Gabe is her spiritual guide sent by her grandmother to help Riley learn more about her gifts, and Riley’s neighbors, a feisty group of senior citizens. I was laughing out loud multiple times through out the story. And I am l excited to continue reading this series, which is currently on Kindle Unlimited. Read this if you enjoy:

❤️ Romance with mystery & suspense
❤️ Fake Dating
❤️ Only one bed
❤️ He falls first
❤️ Dual POV

Riley Thorn & the Dead Guy Next Door was re-released on March 12, 2024. Thanks to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the digital arc. All thoughts are my own.

I was expecting a romance novel, but that was definitely not the prime focus In this story. If you’re looking for a witty, make you laugh out loud read this is it. I often find myself scouring the pages of Lucy’s books just to get to the end. This one was different for me, I had to almost make my self pick it back up and restart reading. I just couldn’t get into it like many of her other novels.

Honestly struggled trying to finish this book. Unnecessary long in my opinion. I like Lucy score but this book just didn’t vibe with me. Loved the idea behind it but decided this series isn’t for me.

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door is hilarious with the most outlandish group of people. Riley Thorn is a young divorced woman trying to live an everyday boring life; she works at a job she hates and lives in a rundown mansion with a group of elderly folks.

Nick Santiago is a private investigator and ex-cop. He is handsome but is aware of how his dimples make women do crazy things.

Lucy Score's writing reminds me of Janet Evanovich with her number series Stephanie Plum. The story took off after introducing all the players; the shenanigans and mayhem had me laughing out loud. I can't wait to read The Corpse in the Closet.